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A software package was developed for coupled thermohydraulic and three-dimensional neutronics calculations of a core in transient regimes of heavy-water reactor installations. This package is necessary for safety validation in regimes with a change in the positions of the control rods or absorber replacement, since strong non-uniformities of the neutron field can arise in these cases. Validation showed that the software package describes the main parameters of a heavy-water reactor installation with sufficient accuracy for engineering calculations and can be used to calculate the dynamics of installations of this type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

References 1 Levrat-Guillen F, Ghazi T. Cost-effectiveness of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring versus advanced hybrid closed-loop systems in type 1 diabetes: comment on Jendle et al. Cost-effectiveness, Type 1 diabetes, Sweden, Advanced hybrid closed-loop Keywords: Cost-effectiveness; Type 1 diabetes; Sweden; Advanced hybrid closed-loop EN Cost-effectiveness Type 1 diabetes Sweden Advanced hybrid closed-loop 1125 1129 5 05/10/22 20220501 NES 220501 We would like to thank Levrat-Guillen and Ghazi for their interest in our recent analysis relating to the cost-effectiveness of advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) insulin delivery relative to intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) in combination with multiple daily injections (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) [[1]]. It should also be noted that the treatment effect sourced from the study by Collyns et al. [[3]] is of a similar magnitude to HbA1c reductions observed in studies using the earlier generation MiniMed 670G device [[8]-[11]]. [Extracted from the article]

Temporal lobe epilepsy is a severe disorder of the central nervous system associated with an imbalance of excitation and inhibition in the brain, manifested by recurrent seizures. Approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy are pharmacoresistant, meaning that existing antiepileptic drugs can not completely control the seizures. One approach to treating refractory epilepsy is to surgically remove the seizure foci, usually located in the temporal cortex, hippocampus, or amygdala. This permits sustained remission in approximately 60–75% of cases. The study of morphological and functional features of neuronal networks in epileptic foci of patients with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy is necessary to understand the mechanisms of pathogenesis of this disease and to develop new approaches to its treatment. This study analyzed the electrophysiological properties of temporal cortex neurons obtained during surgical removal of epileptic foci in children with refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. The biophysical membrane properties of the neurons in brain slices were investigated using the patch-clamp method. We compared them with the properties of pyramidal neurons of the rat cortex. We found that human neurons are characterized by much higher excitability than rat neurons. They generate action potentials in response to minimal depolarization and maintain a high frequency of discharges. At the same time, they are characterized by a high membrane input resistance. The identified biophysical characteristics of neurons may underlie the pathological process leading to the generation of pharmacoresistant seizures in children with temporal lobe epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Swedish National Diabetes Registry data show a correlation of improved glycemic control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with increased use of diabetes technologies over the past 25 years. However, novel technologies are often associated with a high initial outlay. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of the advanced hybrid closed-loop (AHCL) MiniMed 780G system versus intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) plus self-injection of multiple daily insulin (MDI) or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) in people with T1D in Sweden. Methods: Outcomes were projected over patients' lifetimes using the IQVIA CORE Diabetes Model (v9.0). Clinical data, including changes in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and hypoglycemia rates, were sourced from observational studies and a randomized crossover trial. Modeled patients were assumed to receive the treatments for their lifetimes, with HbA1c kept constant following the application of treatment effects. Costs were accounted from a societal perspective and expressed in Swedish krona (SEK). Utilities and days off work estimates were taken from published sources. Results: The MiniMed 780G system was associated with an improvement in life expectancy of 0.16 years and an improvement in quality-adjusted life expectancy of 1.95 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) versus isCGM plus MDI or CSII. These clinical benefits were due to a reduced incidence and a delayed time to onset of diabetes-related complications. Combined costs were estimated to be SEK 727,408 (EUR 72,741) higher with MiniMed 780G, with treatment costs partially offset by direct cost savings from the avoidance of diabetes-related complications and indirect cost savings from the avoidance of lost workplace productivity. The MiniMed 780G system was associated with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of SEK 373,700 per QALY gained. Conclusions: Based on a willingness-to-pay threshold of SEK 500,000 per QALY gained, the MiniMed 780G system was projected to be cost-effective versus isCGM plus MDI or CSII for the treatment of T1D in Sweden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In natural tidal marshes, nutrient fertilization stimulates complex responses, bringing into question the suitability of nutrient-rich dredged material as a substrate for tidal marsh restoration. We examined vegetation and elevation trends in the constructed tidal marshes at Poplar Island, Maryland where fine-grained dredged material (high nutrient) and locally dredged sand (low nutrient) were used as substrates. Macrophyte production was higher and root:shoot ratios lower in dredged material marshes. Measured vertical accretion was similar in dredged material (7.4 ± 0.6 mm y−1) and sand (6.4 ± 0.9 mm y−1) marshes, and is keeping pace with local sea-level rise. A detailed carbon budget was developed for one dredged material marsh to examine carbon dynamics under high nutrient availability. High annual macrophyte production combined with small exports via tidal exchange and methane emissions resulted in an annual carbon burial of 206 g C m−2 y−1, and calculated vertical accretion of 6.5 mm y−1 from organic matter. This is attributed to the contribution of organic matter from aboveground biomass due to protection from perimeter dikes constructed to contain dredged material during placement, reducing marsh exposure and organic matter export. With appropriate design and management, fine-grained, high-nutrient dredged material makes a suitable substrate for tidal marsh restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is noted for the example of known and previously implemented reactor designs with fast reactors that there is no generally accepted conceptual answer to the question of the possibility and necessity of using electromagnetic pumps in the intermediate loop the emergency heat removal system (EHRS). The requirements of electromagnetic pumps used in the intermediate loop of EHRS are formulated on the basis of an analysis of the main operational regimes of EHRS. The possibility of developing electromagnetic pumps satisfying the formulated requirements is evaluated. The advantages of using electromagnetic pumps in the intermediate loop of EHRS are indicated for a variant of a 2800 MW reactor facility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantum analysis of postsynaptic currents is important for fundamental and applied studies of synaptic transmission and plasticity. In the present work, we investigated the possibility of using the characteristics of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) for estimation of quantum parameters of excitatory synaptic transmission in different types of neurons from rat prefrontal cortex slices. By blocking spontaneous spiking activity in slices by tetrodotoxin, we showed that spontaneous and miniature EPSCs in the prefrontal cortex neurons did not differ in their properties. Therefore, both spontaneous and miniature responses can be used for estimation of quantum parameters of excitatory synaptic transmission in this preparation. We also revealed that excitatory spontaneous responses of pyramidal cells were two times lower by amplitude, had a twice lower coefficient of variation and exhibited much slower kinetics than responses of the fast-spiking and regular-spiking interneurons. Possible mechanisms of these differences are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The problem of reducing electric losses in a magnetic suspension is considered. Specifically, the feasibility of decreasing electric losses in dynamics in addition to the well-known method of loss reduction in statics by means of permanent magnets is discussed. It is demonstrated by an example of a simple magnetic suspension with permanent magnets that, when the suspension is brought to equilibrium, the functional in the dependence of the electromagnet coil current squared reaches a minimum; i.e., electrical losses are minimized in dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cells of different types outward voltage-gated (VG) ion currents are generally carried by potassium ions. However, in mouse type II taste cells these currents persist when K+-selective ion channels are inhibited. In this study, we examined the ion channels that provide a pathway for atypical VG outward currents in type II taste cells. These channels are found to be weakly selective and permeabile to large molecules such as NMDG, gluconate, and ATP. According to non-stationary fluctuation analysis, single channel conductance is about 200 pS. The data obtained suggest that the nonselective ion channels are similar to hemichannels formed by connexins, the gap-junction proteins, in the plasma membrane of vertebrate cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoacoustic measurements of photosynthetic oxygen evolution and its enhancement by addition of background far-red light (Emerson enhancement) were made on both intact and inhibited or stressed leaves. The extent of enhancement increased with the dehydration treatment and decreased with a mild heat treatment or with the addition of DCMU. It nevertheless persisted even at a very high degree of inhibition - a result which indicates high population ratio of single pairs of combined photosystem II and photosystem I units, functional in whole chain electron transport. This implies a restriction on the separation between photosystems I and II, in contrast to existing concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usisng intact leaves, the extent of the decrease in chlorophyll a fluorescenece caused by the addition of continuous 710 nm light superimposed on modulated (20 Hz) 550 nm light was used to determine the distribution of this absorbed light between photosystems I (α) and II (β). The F and F levels, which defined the total variable fluorescenece, were taken as equal to those obtained with excess 710 nm light and with saturating blue-green light, respectively. An analogous procedure was used with a photoacoustic detector, saturating white light defining a base line for oxygen yield, the levels with an without 710 nm light being used to define β and α respectively. The two methods gave similar values for the distribution of light between the two photosystems for the experimental conditions used, β averaging 0.55 for a range of Triticum genotypes and Brachypodium sylvaticum grown in high or low light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a photoacoustic technique it has been possible to observe fast oxygen evolution and uptake transients at a high time resolution (approx. 0.2 s), when a dark-adapted leaf is reilluminated. There is initially a rapid pulse of oxygen evolution, correlated with the initial fluorescence rise (total duration under the experimental conditions used about 1-2 s), corresponding presumably to the photoreduction of the plastoquinone pool. This phenomenon may be utilized to calibrate the oxygen-evolution photoacoustic signal. The first pulse is followed by a series of slower bursts of oxygen uptake and evolution, reflecting various pools which are expressed following sequential activation of various parts of the photosynthetic apparatus, until achievement of a steady state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen evolution and energy storage yields in tobacco ( Nicotiana tabacum L.) wild-type (cv. John Williams Broadleaf) and a mutant ( Su/su) deficient in chlorophyll were compared using the photoacoustic technique. Oxygen-evolution and energy-storage quantum yields in the mutant were higher when measured in red light (640-690 nm) than green or blue light (540 nm and 440 nm, respectively), indicating that carotenoids in this mutant do not transfer energy efficiently to the photochemical reaction centers. It is suggested that carotenoids may play a role in protecting the photosynthetic apparatus against damage by high energy fluxes. In the wild-type, the oxygenevolution yield did not change drastically throughout the visible spectrum. The mutant had a higher quantum yield of oxygen evolution than the wildtype. Similarly maximum rates obtained from saturation curves for the mutant were more than twice higher per leaf area and about five times higher per chlorophyll, as compared to the wild-type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The two cDNAs coding for the cytosolic ( cyt) and the chloroplast-located ( chl) Cu,Zn superoxide dismutases (SODs) of tomato (Perl-Treves et al. 1988) were cloned into respective binary vectors and mobilized into Agrobacterium strains. Potato tuber discs were infected with either of the two agrobacterial strains and cultured on selective medium containing kanaymcin. The integration of either of the cyt or the chl SOD transgenes was verified by Southern-blot hybridization. The enzymatic activity of the additional tomato chl Cu,Zn SOD could be distinguished from endogenous SOD activity since the latter isozyme migrated faster on SOD-activity gels. Several transgenic potato lines harboring either the cyt or the chl SOD genes of tomato showed elevated tolerance to the superoxide-generating herbicide paraquat (methyl viologen). After exposure of shoots to paraquat, tolerance was recorded either by scoring symptoms visually or by measurements of photosynthesis using the photoacoustic method. Root cultures from transgenic lines that harbored the additional cyt Cu,Zn SOD gene of tomato were tolerant to methyl viologen up to 10 M; a lower tolerance was recorded in roots of transgenic lines that expressed the additional chl Cu,Zn SOD of tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to find photoreceptor mutants, we isolated mutants of the fungus Trichoderma defective in blue-light induced conidiation, but still inducible by stress, an alternate stimulus. This selection criterion was based on a physiological model in which both stimuli share a common pathway for expression (output). Complementation in heterokaryons was used to estimate the number of different lesions responsible for the selected phenotypes. As a working hypothesis, each pair that did not complement when tested at a standard light level was assumed to represent a complementation group. When medium depletion, the least stringent stress condition was used, an average of 17 complementation groups was estimated using different mathematical techniques. These groups would represent about 17 gene products; all required for only the light-specific portion of the sporulation pathway. The number of candidates for mutants in the photoreceptor pathway was further reduced by choosing only those strains that responded to a transient stress by a brief incubation in water, which seemed more stringent. The mutants in this subclass mapped into four complementation groups. Two of these groups had both defective absorption and modified action spectra, and are probably defective in the photoreceptor, cryptochrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grinding theory is now sufficiently advanced that a logical basis exists for controlling and optimizing the grinding process. In this paper, a review is presented covering various aspects of grinding theory and their practical utilization. A model of abrasivemetal interactions is described which accounts for the magnitude of the grinding energy and its dependence on the process parameters. The grinding energy expended can cause excessive grinding temperatures, resulting in thermal damage to the workpiece. On the basis of a heat-transfer analysis, it is shown that some types of thermal damage can be predicted and controlled by inprocess monitoring of the grinding power. Practical optimization methods are described which incorporate the grinding energy model and thermal damage analysis, together with empirical relationships for surface finish and the influence of dressing parameters on grinding performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Zeitschrift Für Die Gesamte Experimentelle Medizin is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Rotor stability on electromagnetic bearings in a nonlinear approximation considering the currents of initial biasing by the Lyapunov method has been examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]